Contacts: Orlando Veras / Holly Thomas / Ansley Brown 646.429.7450 / 646.429.5250 / 646.429.5243 Orlando.Veras@macys.com / Holly.Thomas@macys.com / Ansley.Brown@macys.com WHERE FANTASY LIVES THE 87 TH ANNUAL MACY S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE FILLS THE STREETS WITH MAGICAL FLOATING STAGES New York, NY November 4, 2013 A wondrous flotilla of fantasy will roll down the streets of Manhattan as the out-of-this world landscapes of the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade s signature floats transport spectators to lands of fantasy. Thanks to the imagination, creative and skilled hands of the artists at Macy s Parade Studio, these whimsical floating marvels set the scene for magical destinations. Using foam, wood, metal and paint as their tools of the trade, the Studio team designs and constructs every inch of the creations that will dazzle spectators on Parade Day. Ready to debut this year are five new feats of imagination and engineering. Joining the lineup are floats depicting the scrumptious madness of Despicably Delicious!; the fantastic flying ship and acrobatic wonder of the Dreamseeker; the delectable puppetry aboard the Enchanting World of Lindt Chocolate; the undersea beauty of marine life on A Sea of Surprises; and the adventurous activities aboard the cruising vessel on A World at Sea. Hitting the streets as 360-degree masterpieces, the floats begin their Thanksgiving journey as a one-dimensional sketch. From there, the Studio s team of designers, carpenters, painters, animators, metal fabricators and electricians work to bring each to larger-than-life form. Factors including creative inspiration, performance considerations, safety, and most importantly, assembly and disassembly guide the creation process. From weather to final dimensions, the team transforms the creative vision into a work of art and of engineering. Dimensions are key for any new Macy s Parade float. While many can be several stories tall and several lanes of traffic wide, everything imagined, designed and built must fit through New York s Lincoln Tunnel. With Macy s Parade Studio located in New Jersey, miles and a river away from the Parade route, the floats must all travel through the tunnel conforming to no more than 12.5-feet tall and 8-feet wide in size. While that is the first hurdle on Parade eve, the next is the overnight assembly of the entire fleet. With the help of several cranes and extra manpower, one-by-one the floats come to life and are prepared for their Thanksgiving Day duties.
Following is the complete listing of floats in the 87 th Annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade NOTE: ALL TALENT, PERFORMANCES, ELEMENTS AND INFORMATION INCLUDED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 1-2-3 SESAME STREET SESAME WORKSHOP The stoop of 1-2-3 Sesame Street is a magical place where friends gather to celebrate the joy of the season. Along with Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo and their friends, the most famous street in the world celebrates its 44 th season as it comes to life for a Thanksgiving Day celebration. At 32-feet long, 20-feet wide, and 2-stories tall, Sesame Street will rock when Jimmy Fallon and The Roots along with the gang from Sesame Street perform the classic Somebody Come and Play. BIG APPLE THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS The city that never sleeps provides the inspiration for the New York Daily News Big Apple float. The Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and of course Macy s, share the landscape with New York s signature taxi cabs and subway stations. With a giant 30-foot inflatable apple at its core, the float perfectly represents the frenzied and bustling city. Helping to capture the energy of this lively metropolis will be NFL legends Bart Oates, Amani Toomer, Hines Ward and more, celebrating next year s hometown Super Bowl XLVIII. BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE HESS CORPORATION Hitting the road ready to fuel the Thanksgiving revelry is the Hess Bridge to the Future float. Featuring iconic New York City transportation hubs, the float includes a reproduction of New York City s famed Brooklyn Bridge and a look forward at the Delta Y Tri-Suspension Bridge of Tomorrow. At 32-feet long, 20-feet wide and 30-feet tall, the float also incorporates an elevated highway and features the debut of the 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor. On board to rock the bridge will be pop sensation Cher Lloyd. CORNUCOPIA A Thanksgiving marvel, the Cornucopia float features a giant horn of plenty overflowing with fall s favorite fruits and harvest. Giant grapes, cherries, pumpkins and other delectable treats adorn the 38-foot long and 21-foot wide scrumptious delight. On board to share in the bounty of the season will be the Cherokee National Youth Choir performing Alleluia. DAYTIME, PLAY TIME, NIGHT TIME TOO SPROUT From a playful barnyard, to play time on a stream aboard a newspaper sailboat, and finally to a night time oasis atop a giant tree house, children s limitless imagination takes to the physical world in spectacular form on Sprout s imaginative float. From breakfast to bedtime Sprout's TV tableau showcases preschoolers daily activities. From fun pursuits to learning about kindness, it s always a spectacular day filled with friends. Joining the Parade procession on board the float this year will be Chica, the world s most famous chicken from Sprout s daily Sunny Side Up Show, her co-stars - including the newest Sunny Side Up host, as well as Nina from The Good Night Show all singing Kindness Counts - which celebrates the kind acts that Sprout encourages preschoolers to do each day.
DESPICABLY DELICIOUS! UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT It will be a deliciously despicable Thanksgiving this year as the famed Minions from Despicable Me 2 whip up a mix of goodies and mayhem for spectators. The confectionary scene on this 20-foot high, 33-feet long classic bake shop-themed float features larger-thanlife cupcakes. Measuring 3.5-feet tall and 2-feet wide, these scrumptious delights will have millions of spectators craving a bite, as they encounter a new character along the route. On board for the fun will be Gru and the Minions. DORA S CHRISTMAS CAROL ADVENTURE NICKELODEON S DORA THE EXPLORER For the holidays, Dora and her friends are off on an adventure to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Exploring the past, present and future of Christmas at her nochebuena party, Dora and the gang are set to help Swiper get off Santa s naughty list. Featured on the colorful float is a stunning 12-foot tall Christmas tree decorated with dazzling ornaments and holiday gifts. On board with Dora for this holiday trek is the star of Nickelodeon s Sam & Cat and music sensation Ariana Grande. DREAMSEEKER CIRQUE DU SOLEIL This year, during the 87th annual Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Cirque du Soleil takes the streets of New York City by storm with the DREAMSEEKER by Cirque du Soleil, a huge, one-ofa-kind float in the form of a flying ship. At 52-feet long, 23-feet wide and 35-feet high, the grand ship is the one of the longest, tallest and widest floats in the Thanksgiving Day spectacle. Seeming to take flight, thanks in part to giant antique wings, DREAMSEEKER comes complete with custom-designed trampolines, Chinese poles and an incredible performance that will allow the magic and artistry of Cirque du Soleil to shine as the procession unfolds. Spectators along the route and in homes across the nation will be in for an incredible treat as the Cirque du Soleil troupe of 20 plus acrobats and characters perform feats of fantasy. THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF LINDT CHOCOLATE LINDT CHOCOLATE Rising three stories above a spectacular chocolate shop, the new Enchanting World of Lindt Chocolate float features a larger-than-life Lindt Master Chocolatier that has the world dancing on a string as he orchestrates the pouring and casting of LINDT BEAR and other chocolate figures for the holidays. Through a little Macy s Parade magic, the Lindt Master Chocolatier makes live puppets and giant spoons work in tandem to create incredibly delicious premium chocolate delights. On board for the holiday revelry will be the Goo Goo Dolls. FROZEN FALL FUN 2013 DISCOVER NHL THANKSGIVING SHOWDOWN The Frozen Fall Fun float returns to delight hockey fans of all ages as they root for kids on the home team. Transforming a hometown backyard into an ice rink for the ultimate hockey showdown complete with a giant Turkey Goalie, this will be a spectacular Thanksgiving Day slap shot contest. On board for the Turkey Day classic will be country music sensation Kellie Pickler along with NHL greats Cam Neely and Mike Richter. GOLDFISH ON PARADE PEPPERIDGE FARM GOLDFISH Finn and his Goldfish friends Gilbert, Brooke and Xtreme, return for another impromptu parade. Inspired by Macy s great American tradition, the Goldfish on Parade are led by Finn in a dapper top hat and shades. Xtreme uses pencils to stilt walk down the route while Brooke
drives the wind-up car which tows Gilbert on his float made of buttons, caps and a whistle. The march comes to life as it seemingly jumps out of a New York City pop-up book complete with a classic toy balloon. On board for the Turkey Day fun will be X-Factor standouts Fifth Harmony. INTERNATIONAL CELE-BEAR-ATION CLOCK TOWER BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP Build-A-Bear Workshop is sharing hugs worldwide! The International Cele-bear-ation Clock Tower float celebrates everyone s favorite childhood friend - the Teddy Bear. Huggable mascots Bearemy and Pawlett Coufur join their international furry friends. From country to country a bear hug is understood in any language. Along for the ride down Manhattan will be internet and recording sensation Austin Mahone. IT S ALL ROCK & ROLL GIBSON BRANDS It s All Rock & Roll on this incredible float celebrating the almighty guitar! Featuring a massive Gibson Les Paul guitar as its centerpiece, the float takes us to the ultimate concert. Complete with real stage truss work, lighting and staging, the float comes alive and pays tribute to modern music performance. From a rainbow of LED lighting to speaker stacks, a DJ booth and multi-level stage, all genres of music lead back to Rock & Roll. On board to wow the crowd will be country superstar group Florida Georgia Line. MARION-CAROLE SHOWBOAT Sailing full steam down the streets of New York is the largest vessel to ever float down the line of march, the Marion-Carole Showboat. The Showboat is a 33-foot tall, 16-foot wide and 42-foot long masterpiece. Complete with an authentic-looking paddlewheel and twin smokestacks, the Showboat is a sight to behold. Joining the sail down Manhattan will be the The Robertson family from A&E s hit series Duck Dynasty. MOUNT RUSHMORE S AMERICAN PRIDE SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM From the Badlands to the Black Hills, and of course the iconic faces etched on Mount Rushmore, South Dakota s heritage, attractions and natural beauty are showcased on Mount Rushmore s American Pride float. The stage captures the memorial flanked by South Dakota s most majestic scenery. From rivers and pine forests, ancient dinosaur fossils to Great Plains animals and their American Indian legacy, the float is a majestic representation of the great state that is set to celebrate its 125 th birthday next year. Helping to celebrate this Thanksgiving will be the legendary Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. ON THE ROLL AGAIN HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON Classic wooden pull toys are back! An adorable duck family is on the roll again as Lewis the Duck and his colorful kin take to the streets. Dressed in a dapper hat and carrying a backpack, Lewis is taking his flock on a holiday getaway. The Homewood Suites by Hilton mascot lets his feet do the cranking, pulling his wife Lois, and kids Lance and Lisa, down the line of march with their luggage in tow. Joining the merriment will be Broadway and Television star Megan Hilty performing Merry Christmas Darling. PEP RALLY SPIRIT OF AMERICA PRODUCTIONS Putting the pep in the step off and spreading holiday spirit is the Pep Rally float. More than 20 spirited cheerleading kids will show they really do know how to get the party started as they cheer in the holidays. On board the jolly ride are up and coming stars and the winners of
Macy s iheartradio Rising Star content, The Summer Set, performing their hit summer anthem Boomerang. SANTA S SLEIGH It s time to BELIEVE, as the one-and-only Santa Claus makes his way to Macy s Herald Square straight from his home in the North Pole. Depicting Santa s magical night of travel on Christmas Eve, we see good old St. Nick as he leaves his snowy sanctuary to begin his enchanting journey around the globe. The North Pole is showcased by Santa s Toyshop and a giant ice and granite obelisk that is supported by ice sculptures of a Walrus and a Polar Bear. Santa s Sleigh is a colossal float that measures 60-feet long, 22-feet wide and is 3.5 stories tall. A SEA OF SURPRISES SEAWORLD From sea turtles, penguins and angel fish to sharks and breaching whales, amazing oceanic sculptures abound on the new float celebrating almost 50 years of entertaining and inspiring millions of guests. Featuring rolling ocean waves, the gentle movement of swaying kelp and a vibrant school of tropical fish, the scene will take spectators on an extraordinary undersea journey full of surprises. Taking center stage on the SeaWorld A Sea of Surprises float is the iconic Shamu, breaching 27-feet above millions of Parade spectators lining the streets of Manhattan. THE SMURFS SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT The Smurfs take a break from Smurf Village for another fun-filled day in Manhattan, as they ride down the Parade route on a smurf-tastic float with the Papa Smurf balloon. The float features a replica of The Smurfs legendary mushroom houses. STIRRIN UP SWEET SENSATIONS DOMINO SUGAR Holiday baking takes center stage on this 26-foot tall float featuring a giant cookie dough bowl and cookie press that dishes out the scrumptious confections. As it travels into the cookie press, the dough drops in perfect dollops onto the turntable and finally into the oven. The treats are then baked a golden brown and shoot down the ramp to the awaiting cars of the Cookie Express train, ready for holiday deliveries. Set to add his down-home flavor to the mix is country superstar Brett Eldredge. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES NICKELODEON Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo are back! Nickelodeon s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles emerge from their underground lair to delight spectators with their breathtaking ninja precision. Featuring a spectacular dark cityscape including roof tops, fire escapes, window ledges and a zip line down telephone wires, evil doer s beware, the Turtles are coming. Taking a ride with the Turtles on their Thanksgiving journey will be superstar group Fall Out Boy. TOM TURKEY What would Thanksgiving Day be without everyone s favorite Turkey? Tom Turkey returns to lead the line-up for another glorious Thanksgiving march. Covered in brilliantly-hued plumage, sporting a festive collar and the coveted blue award ribbon, Tom is one giant bird measuring 21-feet tall and 20-feet wide. Along for the Turkey Day ride will be lifestyle maven Sandra Lee.
THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING ONEIDA INDIAN NATION Since 2008, the Oneida Indian Nation s True Spirit of Thanksgiving float has been showcased in the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first of its kind to honor an American Indian Nation, the decorative float represents the Oneida Nation s creation story with vivid characters, symbols, and performers. It captures the essence of American Indian people, featuring a 30-foot-tall White Pine Tree of Peace. Celebrating unity on Thanksgiving Day will be Native Pride dancers who will delight with a special performance. UNCLE SAM S TOP HAT DRAKE S CAKES Boasting American Pride, Uncle Sam s Top Hat invites you to enjoy the celebration of this great American holiday, as well as the 125 th anniversary of Drake s Cakes, the classic family favorite since 1888. A star-spangled chapeau like no other, Uncle Sam s Top Hat will serve as the host to the reigning Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri. A WORLD AT SEA ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL It s time to climb aboard and set sail. Celebrating the WOW s of a Royal Caribbean International cruise vacation, this new float promises to set the stage for adventure. Featuring 3-D postcards in a revolving panorama, the scenes change to highlight the incredible onboard activities found on a Royal Caribbean cruise. From rock climbing to surfing and flying through the sky on a zip line, fun and enjoyment await Parade fans. Setting sail down Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day will be Broadway superstar and Godmother of Royal Caribbean s newest ship Quantum of the Seas, Kristin Chenoweth. WILD WILD WEST EXPRESS Before heading out of town, the Wild Wild West Express will make a pit stop at Macy s Herald Square. With whistles blowing, bells ringing and steam billowing from the top of a 45-foot long steam locomotive, the train pulls a 28-foot long coal car filled with a cargo of smiling children and brightly-wrapped gifts. Along for the train ride down the streets of Manhattan will be international holiday stars Mannheim Steamroller. WINTER WONDERLAND IN CENTRAL PARK DELTA AIR LINES Visitors flying on New York s largest airline from one of 122 destinations Delta serves should head to the city s largest and most famous urban oasis Central Park to get the quintessential New York experience. After seeing the real thing they can fully appreciate the intricate recreation of the park s Gothic Bridge, vintage streetlights, illuminated Christmas trees and fresh-fallen snow that set a magical tone on the Winter Wonderland in Central Park float. The float will come to life with the holiday sounds of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. WOODLAND FAMILY GATHERING OCEAN SPRAY This Thanksgiving, Ocean Spray is celebrating along with families around the world. On the stunning Woodland Family Gathering float, a woodland family s holiday table is set with all the classic holiday trimmings 10 foot long ears of corn, pumpkins, squash and of course, what would a holiday meal be without the big, bold taste of cranberries. As the gathering gets into high gear along the beautiful log table, the woodland critter family will enjoy a performance from Gavin DeGraw that helps gives thanks to the bounty of the Thanksgiving harvest.
ZHU-NIVERSE ZHUZHU PETS ZhuZhu Pets Fab Four Pipsqueak, Mr. Squiggles, Chunk and Num Nums, return to the Macy s Parade about the fun-filled world of the Zhu-niverse. Dancing, surfing and skateboarding to the delight of Zhu-natics everywhere, the ZhuZhu Pets are joining in the holiday revelry along with the star of the Disney Channel hit show Jesse, Debby Ryan. SPECIAL UNITS CAST McDONALD S BIG RED SHOE CAR Ronald McDonald, the world s most famous clown, is riding down the Parade route in his oneof-a-kind Big Red Shoe Car. Joining Ronald on this fun holiday trip will be his friends the talented McKids. MOUNTED PARKS ENFORCEMENT PATROL and NYPD MOUNTED UNIT Sixteen New York City Park Rangers and Police Officers make up an old-fashioned cavalry as they ride down the route on horseback saluting Parade spectators along the way. NYPD HIGHWAY PATROL MOTORCYCLE UNIT Gentlemen start your engines! New York City police officers will officially escort the 85 th Parade down the entire route. PLANTERS NUTMOBILE PLANTERS Even at 97-years old, Mr. Peanut still knows how to party. Back in classic style, the monoclesporting star rides the famed Planters NUTmobile as he sets out on the holiday trip down Manhattan. # # #